View All Money & Payment Scams

Bank Impersonation Scams

How it works:	A scammer pretends to be your bank, credit union, credit card company, PayPal, Cash App, Venmo, Zelle, or another financial service. They may claim there is suspicious activity and ask for a code, login, or transfer.
The Hook:	People want to protect their money. Scammers may know enough personal details from data breaches to sound believable.
How to avoid it:	Never give verification codes to anyone. Do not click links in bank texts. Open the banking app directly or call the number on the back of your card.

Fake Check Scams

How it works:	The scammer sends a check and asks you to deposit it, then send some money back, buy gift cards, pay a third party, or refund an overpayment. The check later bounces.
The Hook:	People think money is safe once the bank shows funds available, but funds can be made available before a check is fully verified.
How to avoid it:	Never send money back from a check you just deposited. Be suspicious of overpayments, job checks, prize checks, and stranger checks.

Gift Card Payment Scams

How it works:	The scammer tells you to buy gift cards and provide the numbers and PINs. They may pretend to be a government office, employer, utility company, family member, or tech support.
The Hook:	Urgency and fear make people comply. The scammer may stay on the phone while the victim buys the cards.
How to avoid it:	No legitimate company or government agency requires payment by gift card. Anyone asking for gift card numbers is almost certainly a scammer.

Cryptocurrency Investment Scams

How it works:	The scammer promises high returns from crypto trading, mining, staking, or a special investment platform. Fake apps or dashboards may show fake profits, but withdrawals are blocked unless more fees are paid.
The Hook:	The scam uses greed, trust, and fear of missing out. The platform may look professional and the scammer may act like a mentor.
How to avoid it:	Be skeptical of guaranteed returns, secret platforms, pressure to act quickly, or anyone who wants you to move money into crypto.

Pig Butchering Scams

How it works:	A scammer builds a relationship over time through text, social media, dating apps, or a wrong-number message. After trust is built, they introduce a fake investment opportunity, often involving crypto.
The Hook:	The scam is slow and emotional. The victim may believe they are talking to a friend, romantic partner, or successful investor.
How to avoid it:	Be cautious when a new online contact talks about investing, crypto, trading, or making money. Never invest through a platform recommended by someone you only know online.

Romance Scams

How it works:	A scammer pretends to be romantically interested and eventually asks for money, gift cards, crypto, or help with an emergency. They may claim to be overseas, widowed, in the military, or unable to meet.
The Hook:	The scammer gives attention, affection, and emotional support. Victims may feel deeply connected before money is requested.
How to avoid it:	Do not send money to someone you have not met in person. Be cautious if they avoid video calls, make excuses not to meet, or quickly profess love.

Refund / Overpayment Scams

How it works:	A scammer pretends to owe you a refund from Amazon, PayPal, a bank, utility company, antivirus company, or tech support company. They claim they accidentally refunded too much and ask you to send money back.
The Hook:	With remote access, scammers can manipulate what appears on the screen to make it look like money was deposited.
How to avoid it:	Do not give remote access. Check your actual bank account directly. Do not send money back for an unexpected refund.

Lottery / Prize / Sweepstakes Scams

How it works:	You are told you won money, a car, vacation, or prize, but must pay taxes, shipping, processing fees, or insurance first.
The Hook:	The excitement of winning makes people overlook the payment request.
How to avoid it:	You do not have to pay money to claim a legitimate prize. Be especially cautious if you never entered the contest.

Debt Relief Scams

How it works:	A company promises to erase debt, settle debt for pennies, fix student loans, stop collections, or repair credit quickly, often demanding upfront fees.
The Hook:	Debt is stressful, and the scammer sounds official or claims special access.
How to avoid it:	Do not pay upfront for promises of debt relief. Research the company and contact lenders or legitimate nonprofit credit counseling agencies directly.

Credit Repair Scams

How it works:	The scammer promises to remove negative credit information, create a new credit identity, or guarantee a higher score.
The Hook:	People need better credit for housing, cars, loans, or business funding.
How to avoid it:	No company can legally remove accurate negative information from your credit report. Avoid anyone who suggests using a fake identity or EIN for a new credit profile.

Charity Scams

How it works:	A scammer pretends to collect donations for disaster relief, veterans, police, firefighters, sick children, churches, animals, or a tragic event.
The Hook:	The scam uses compassion, urgency, and emotional stories.
How to avoid it:	Donate directly through known charity websites. Search the charity name with reviews or scam before giving.

Subscription Trap Scams

How it works:	A website offers a free trial, cheap product, or low-cost sample but hides recurring charges in the fine print.
The Hook:	The first price looks small, and the checkout process may make subscription terms hard to notice.
How to avoid it:	Read billing terms before entering payment information. Use a virtual card if available and watch statements after free trials.

Recovery Scams

How it works:	After someone has already been scammed, another scammer claims they can recover the lost money for a fee. They may pretend to be a lawyer, investigator, government agency, crypto recovery expert, or hacker.
The Hook:	Victims are desperate to get their money back, and the recovery scammer gives hope.
How to avoid it:	Do not pay upfront recovery fees. Be especially cautious if they ask for crypto, gift cards, wire transfers, or payment apps.

Fake Grant Scams

How it works:	The scammer says you qualify for a government grant, business grant, relief payment, senior benefit, or assistance program but must pay a fee to receive the money.
The Hook:	Free money sounds helpful, especially during financial stress.
How to avoid it:	Real grants do not require random payment by gift card, crypto, wire, or payment app. Search official government websites directly.

Student Loan Scams

How it works:	A scammer promises loan forgiveness, lower payments, or special access to a government program in exchange for upfront fees or login information.
The Hook:	Student loans are confusing, and borrowers want relief.
How to avoid it:	Use official loan servicer websites and StudentAid.gov. Do not pay for guaranteed forgiveness or give out Federal Student Aid login information.

Fake Debt Collector Scams

How it works:	A caller claims you owe an old debt and must pay immediately to avoid arrest, lawsuit, wage garnishment, or damaged credit.
The Hook:	The scammer may know personal details and may sound aggressive.
How to avoid it:	Ask for a written debt validation notice. Do not provide payment information to someone you cannot verify.